REPORT 6
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical (EDC) pollution in Korea

Dr. Jae Ryoung OH and Dr. Gangwoon Lee, Chemical Oceanography Division, KORDI, , Seoul, Korea

In recent years there has been a growing concern of endocrine disruptor compounds in Korea, especially after the dioxin crisis in Belgium last year. All the EDCs monitored in the UNU program were banned in Korea in the '60s and '70s because of their toxicity and persistence. Surface water samples were collected in January of 2000 from three major rivers(Han River, Nakdong River and Kum River) and one coastal area of Korea. Generally, EDCs level in Korea were quite low. Beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, aldrin and p,p'-DDT were not detected at all sampling sites. None of EDCs were detected at St. 4. Only p,p'-DDD was detected at St. 3 which is located in the North Han River. St. 6 which is located near the Han River estuary and St. 1 which is located in the coastal area showed high level of EDCs compare to other sites.

The recovery of EDCs by UNU method showed quite good result and range was 61.3~114.2%. Reappearance test also showed good result and range was 90.8~111.5%.